Why you're getting Medicare calls and how to stop them

If you're getting calls about Medicare plans, prescriptions, or health services you didn't ask for, you're not alone. Scammers and aggressive marketers buy lists of Medicare beneficiaries and call constantly. The legitimate calls come from Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and supplemental insurance companies — they're allowed to call you if you're on Medicare, even if you haven't asked them to.

You can reduce these calls by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, asking callers directly to stop, and reporting violations. You cannot stop all calls — some are legally permitted — but you can block the worst offenders and protect yourself from scams.

Key Takeaways

  • Register your phone number at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 to block most telemarketing calls, though Medicare plans and charities can still call you.
  • Tell any caller to put you on their internal do-not-call list, and ask them to confirm they will not call you again.
  • Report calls from scammers to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your state's Attorney General.
  • Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details to anyone who calls you — Medicare will never ask for these over the phone.
  • Use your phone's built-in call blocking and ask your phone company about free spam-blocking tools.

Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry stops most telemarketing calls, but it has limits. Insurance companies, charities, and political organizations can still call you even if you're registered. However, registration will block many unwanted calls and is free.

You can register online at donotcall.gov or by phone at 1-888-382-1222. Registration takes effect within 31 days and lasts for five years. After five years, you can re-register to keep your number on the list.

After you register, keep a record of the date and the phone number you used. If you get calls from obvious telemarketers after 31 days have passed, you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission.

Tell callers to stop calling you

When a caller reaches you, ask them directly to put your number on their internal do-not-call list. Be specific: say "Do not call this number again" and ask them to confirm they will remove you. If it's a company you recognize, ask for the name of the person you spoke with and the date and time of the call.

Write down the caller's name, the company they represent, what they were selling, and the time they called. This record helps if you need to report them later. Legitimate companies are required to honor your request within 30 days.

If the same company calls again after you've asked them to stop, that's a violation you can report. Scammers won't honor your request — they'll keep calling — which is why reporting them matters.

Recognize and report Medicare scams

Scammers pretend to be from Medicare, your insurance plan, or a pharmacy. They may say you're due a refund, that your benefits are changing, or that you need to "verify" your information. Real Medicare will never call you asking for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details.

If you get a suspicious call, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to ask if the call was real. Do not use a phone number the caller gave you.

Report scam calls to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. Also report them to your state's Attorney General — search "[your state] Attorney General" online to find the office's phone number or website. Include the phone number that called you, the date and time, what they said, and what they asked for.

Use call blocking on your phone

Most smartphones have built-in call blocking. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers to block calls from numbers not in your contacts. On Android, open the Phone app, tap More (three dots), then Settings > Spam and Call Screen to turn on spam detection.

Ask your phone company if they offer free spam-blocking tools. Many carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have free services that filter known spam numbers. You can also read apps like Nomorobo or RoboKiller, though some charge a fee.

Blocking tools won't catch every scam call, but they reduce the volume. Combine them with the Do Not Call Registry and direct requests to stop for the best results.

What Medicare and insurance companies are allowed to do

Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and supplemental insurance companies can call you to tell you about their plans, even if you're on the Do Not Call Registry. This is legal because they're offering insurance, not general telemarketing. However, they must still honor your request to stop calling.

If you're enrolled in a plan, that plan can call you about your coverage, claims, or account. If you're not enrolled and don't want to hear from a specific plan, tell them to remove you from their calling list and report them if they call again.

You can also opt out of marketing calls from Medicare Advantage and drug plans by contacting them directly. Ask for their customer service number and request to be removed from their calling list.

Protect your information during calls

Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, date of birth, bank account number, or credit card number to anyone who calls you. Real Medicare representatives will not ask for these details over the phone. If someone claims to be from Medicare and asks for this information, it's a scam.

If you need to give information to a real Medicare office or your insurance company, hang up, look up their official phone number yourself, and call them back. This protects you from scammers who spoof real phone numbers.

Be especially cautious if a caller offers you something free, says there's a problem with your account, or creates pressure to act quickly. These are common scam tactics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop all Medicare calls?

No. Insurance companies, charities, and government agencies can call you even if you're on the Do Not Call Registry. You can reduce calls by registering, asking callers to stop, and using call blocking, but some calls will still get through. Report violations when they happen.

What should I do if a caller claims to be from Medicare?

Hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to verify. Do not use a phone number the caller gave you. Real Medicare will never call asking for your Social Security number or Medicare number.

How long does it take for the Do Not Call Registry to work?

Registration takes effect within 31 days. After 31 days, you can report telemarketers who still call you to the Federal Trade Commission. Insurance companies and charities are exempt from the registry, so you may still hear from them.

What if I keep getting calls after I asked them to stop?

Report the company to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your state's Attorney General. Include the phone number, date, time, and company name. Keep records of each call in case you need to file a complaint.

Is there a way to block calls from specific companies?

Yes. Ask the company directly to put you on their do-not-call list and confirm they will remove you. If they call again, report them. You can also block their number on your phone, though scammers often use different numbers each time.